XGIMI Horizon Ultra Projector

Highlights

• The XGIMI HORIZON Ultra is positioned as a high-end 4K home theater projector, blending advanced auto-adjustment technologies with hybrid LED/laser light sources and Dolby Vision support. While its feature list is impressive on paper, real-world testing reveals a more nuanced performance.
• Despite advertising 2300 ISO lumens (a metric XGIMI promotes as more reliable than ANSI), independent measurements from reviewers and users suggest an actual brightness output in the range of 1200–1500 ANSI lumens. This places the HORIZON Ultra well-suited for controlled lighting environments, but far from ideal for brightly lit rooms.
• Resolution-wise, the projector uses a 0.47″ DLP chip with XPR pixel-shifting to deliver a true 4K image. Unlike many budget 4K models that upscale 1080p, this delivers real detail and clarity, especially when paired with Dolby Vision and HDR10 content. Color accuracy is a strong point thanks to the Dual Light architecture, which significantly reduces blue light harshness and rainbow effects often associated with DLP.
• The advertised throw ratio of 1.2–1.5:1 and optical zoom (1.25x) have been confirmed through testing and offer greater installation flexibility than most projectors in this price class. However, lens shift is not available, and while the projector boasts intelligent screen alignment (ISA 3.0), it relies heavily on digital correction. As such, image quality can slightly degrade when keystone or zoom adjustments are pushed too far.
• Gamers will appreciate the ~18ms input lag in Game Mode, verified by ProjectorCentral and other reviewers. While this is competitive for casual and even some serious gaming, it’s not the lowest latency in its class.
• Audio quality is a standout feature. The dual 12W Harman Kardon speakers deliver a surprisingly rich and full soundstage for a projector. Many users report they don’t feel the need for external speakers in smaller rooms, though for larger spaces or outdoor use, pairing with a soundbar is recommended.
• Running Android TV 11 with full Google Play support, the system is fluid and responsive. Google Assistant, WiFi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 are all integrated. However, some users have reported occasional lag or app crashes, particularly with heavier streaming apps.
• At 5.2 kg, the HORIZON Ultra is heavier than portable projectors but remains manageable for semi-permanent setups. Fan noise is moderate at around 28 dB, making it relatively quiet, although not silent.
• While the projector claims support for up to 200” projection size, optimal performance is observed between 80” and 150”, based on brightness and focus uniformity.